Theresa May hints she could delay UK’s Brexit plans to please Scotland

THERESA MAY spooked hardline Brexit campaigners yesterday by hinting she could delay the UK’s divorce from the EU to please Scotland.

Love-bombing Nicola Sturgeon on her first trip as PM, Mrs May said it was critical every corner of the UK was on board before she triggered Article 50- which begins the two-year countdown to going.

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Theresa May says it was important to her that a trip to Scotland was the first one she made as Prime MinisterCredit: Reuters

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There were no Union Jack flags visible in the room where Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon held their talksCredit: Reuters

After a brief meeting in Edinburgh, the PM said she wanted Scotland to be “fully engaged” in drawing up Brexit options “and I will listen to any options they bring forward”.

She said: “I’m very clear I want the Scottish Government involved and I want to get the best possible deal for entire United Kingdom.

“I’ve already said I won’t be triggering Article 50 until I think we have a United Kingdom approach and objectives for the negotiations.

“I think it’s important we establish that before we trigger Article 50.”

David Davis, Theresa May’s new Brexit Minister, had last week said Article 50 could be triggered “before or by the start of next year” – meaning Brexit in January 2019.

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Nicola Sturgeon greets Theresa May on the steps of Bute House in Edinburgh before their talks about Scotland and the EUCredit: Getty Images

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Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon both said the talks they had today were constructiveCredit: Getty Images

Insiders yesterday rushed to play down the PM’s comments.

One source said: “The remarks are being over interpreted. The Prime Minister’s willing to listen to options but it’s not in any way about giving Scotland a veto.”

But arch Eurosceptic Steve Baker told the Sun: “We cannot allow any one region of the UK to prevent the democratic will of the people from being carried out.”

“Theresa May said ‘Brexit means Brexit’ I do believe she will carry through with her promise. She will have to, to hold the Conservative party together.”

Fellow Tory backbencher Bernard Jenkin said the new PM had his “unqualified support”.

But he added: “I do believe the pressure will mount for us to move far more quickly on this.”

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Wearing her red heels, Theresa May leaves Bute House after talks with Nicola Sturgeon where she told her a second Scottish independence referendum was not an optionCredit: Getty Images

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Theresa May and Nicola Sturgeon discussed when would be the right time to trigger Article 50Credit: Getty Images

Ms Sturgeon has repeatedly demanded Scotland be allowed to remain in the EU – given 62 per cent of Scots vote to stay in the bloc on June 23.

She has promised to explore every option and threatened a second independence referendum if Scotland is dragged out “against its will”.

Theresa May yesterday dismissed a second independence vote out of hand - insisting the Scots had already had one and the result was “very clear”.

She said: “As far as I’m concerned, the Scottish people had their vote.”

But insiders said yesterday’s flying visit to see Ms Sturgeon showed how tough the Brexit negotiations will be for the PM and her new Government.

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The PM – who campaigned for Remain ahead of the Referendum – is already under intense pressure from Eurocrats to trigger Article 50 and get on with Britain’s Brexit.

European Parliament chief Martin Schulz last month said: “Hesitating simply to accommodate the party tactics of the British conservatives hurts everyone.

“That is why we expect the British government to now deliver.”

Experts claim Mrs May’s biggest challenge before triggering Article 50 will be determining how to safeguard free trade at the same time as winning back control over EU immigration.

Speaking after yesterday’s meeting, Mrs Sturgeon said the UK government did not appear to know “where to go” on its options.

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Nicola Sturgeon says she would still call for a second Scottish independence referendum if she decides Scotland's European interests cannot be protected within the UKCredit: Getty Images

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Nicola Sturgeon opted for a blue and green pair of heels while Theresa May plumped for some red shiny onesCredit: Getty Images

But she said the PM had told her the UK Government would be “open and flexible” to options as it works out its bargaining positioning with the EU.

She said: “I was very pleased that Theresa May said that she was absolutely willing to consider any options that the Scottish Government now bring forward to secure Scotland’s relationship with the European Union.

“I have been very clear that we have to make sure that Scotland’s interests are protected and I want to examine every option of doing that.”

She added: “We’re politicians from very different parts of the political spectrum, but look she’s a woman – she’s a woman who I think has a very business-like way of doing things that I have too.

Which I think we can find a way of working together.”

Tory backbencher Jacob Rees Mogg told the Sun that he wasn’t worried about Mrs May’s flying visit. He said: “I’ve been so impressed by her so far. I think what she’s saying is a tactical masterstroke.”

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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been having talks about Scotland staying in the EU, including with European Commission President Jean-Claude JunckerCredit: Reuters

A No.10 spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister has been very clear that it will take time for the UK government to agree its position for the negotiations.

“This position has not changed.

“As part of this we will of course want to engage fully with the Scottish government and listen to their views.”

Scottish Secretary David Mundell yesterday had any deal that kept Scotland both in the UK and the EU would be “fanciful”.

Greenland - which falls under the administration of EU member Denmark - left the bloc in 1985.

Mr Mundell insisted he would consider all options, but warned: “I certainly don’t think that it is possible for Scotland to remain within the EU and the rest of the UK to be outwith the EU.